Monthly Archives: March 2016
Bric A Brac VI – Rome
They call Rome “The Eternal City.” While that may be overstating things a bit it is perhaps worth noting that I have more souvenir pieces of bric-a-brac from Rome that I rotate on my desk than from any other city. There is the snow globe of Pope John Paul II, who later this year will […]
Chocolate Overdose
When I was a child I had the impression that the best chocolate came from Switzerland. I’m not sure where this came from, marketing perhaps, it is true though that the Swiss make excellent chocolate. They are not alone of course. Canada has a few renowned chocolatiers, or at least they have a national reputation, […]
There’s A Riot Going On
Conn Smythe used to say “If you can’t beat ’em in the alley, you can’t beat ’em on the ice.” That’s not as pugnacious as it sounds really, he was talking about hockey after all. Smythe was talking about the need for players to have a certain attitude, to bring a combative approach to how […]
Irish Musings
Today is St. Patrick’s Day. He is the patron saint of Ireland, and in his honour people will drink themselves into a stupor, consuming vast amounts of beer that has been dyed green. A friend suggested we go out this evening, then we remembered what day it is. Social event postponed. I have no desire […]
Who Is The Traffic Department?
“Mr. Anderson, this is the Traffic Department calling. We are calling about a claim regarding an accident involving a vehicle registered to your address.” The caller had a thick accent. Indian or Pakistani I would say. A little difficult to understand, but I know a scam when I see one. But I had a few […]
The Primaries
They are calling today “Mega Tuesday,” to distinguish it from “Super Tuesday,” and once again some pundits are suggesting Donald Trump, despite a couple of primary losses this past Saturday, could sew up the Republican Presidential nomination with a strong showing. Somehow it seems we have heard this story before. My daughter asked me if […]
Bric A Brac V – The Cannon
On my desk and shelves, in my home office and in my office on Parliament Hill are some objects that have a certain amount of significance in my life but which are otherwise useless. It is not like I need more ornamentation or decorations after all. Each one though has a story attached to it, […]
Bric A Brac IV – Sir John
On my desk and shelves, in my home office and in my office on Parliament Hill are some objects that have a certain amount of significance in my life but which are otherwise useless. It is not like I need more ornamentation or decorations after all. Each one though has a story attached to it, […]
Bric a Brac III – The Cowboy Hat
They call it the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” which may be marketing hyperbole, but I suppose there’s an element of truth to it. But the Calgary Stampede hat on my desk didn’t come from Calgary, I got it in Toronto. I have been to the Stampede, and if you like small-town country fairs it […]
random thoughts from lorne 
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